PRINTColumbia’s ultimate holiday events guide 2009
Find some holiday play while the students are away
December 3, 2009 | 12:01 a.m. CST
Ten years ago, you might have spent the holiday season worrying about the impending Y2K disaster or George Bush’s upcoming presidency (oops). This year, as 2009 comes to a close, forget those troubles, and celebrate the beginning of a new decade with numerous festivities offered around Columbia. Looking for tradition? Head to Rocheport for the annual tree lighting ceremony. Want to experience something a little more surreal? Go back in time and chat with Charles Dickens at Stephens College, or see dogs dance in a choreographed holiday production at Anne Gafke’s pet school. Whatever you’re looking for, here’s a guide to the season’s celebrations that you absolutely cannot miss.
Living Windows Festival
When: Friday, Dec. 4, 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: The District
Cost: Free
Call: 442-6816
With scenes of tattoo-ridden elves and Santa mixing with Martians, this event features a hint of the bizarre while fueling fun competition. If you venture downtown, you’ll see merchants and shopkeepers moving their usual merchandise out of the front windows to replace them with funny and entertaining live holiday scenes, says Carrie Gartner, executive director of The District. The festival also features open houses, strolling carolers, holiday treats, roasted chestnuts and visits with Santa — all against the spectacular backdrop of colorful holiday lights. Each year, the merchants try to make their displays more fun and festive and attempt to out-do one another in the process.
Santa Hotline
Where: The comfort of your own home
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Call: 874-7473 or 874-6335
Chatty children can call Santa this season and tell him what’s on their Christmas wish lists. Also on the line to receive calls are Mrs. Claus, elves and even a few reindeer — but hopefully kids can get through to the man in charge because he makes the deliveries. Sponsored by Columbia Parks and Recreation, this event has been going on for at least 15 years and on average receives 250 to 300 calls. Recreation specialist and event coordinator Sarah Bowman says they occasionally receive some heartbreaking requests, including kids asking for money or for their parents’ cancer to be cured. But many of the calls are sweet, such as those when children ask to speak to reindeer.
St. Nicholas Advent Bazaar
Where: Calvary Episcopal Church
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: Breakfast is $8 for adults and $4 for children 13 and younger; the rest of the Bazaar is free.
Call: 442-9392
How “bazaar” — this event consists of a country ham and grits breakfast, a raffle, a crafts room and a children’s section filled with gently used toys and books, but it’s truly known for its famous church mice made of felt that stand between 3 and 4 inches tall. Church employee Susan McGee says she has heard people line up as early as 6 a.m. to buy the mice that parish members make and dress in different outfits. Vintage mice that were made as far back as the 1950s are still in the church office on display.
City Kwanzaa Celebration
Where: Douglass High School
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2 to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Call: 874-6379
As much as some might be hungrily eyeing boxes under their decorated trees, the holidays aren’t just about Christmas. Kwanzaa is a weeklong holiday in December that celebrates the communion of African-Americans, and it highlights seven main principles that focus on respecting elders, building relationships and honoring the African-American struggle. At this local celebration of the event, coordinator Bill Thompson says different agencies set up booths, small businesses sell their wares, and awards are given out to nominated individuals whose community work reflects the seven principles. The celebration will also feature a holiday feast and funky entertainment, which in the past has included non-secular hip-hop and the citywide drumline.
MU Concert Series: The Nutcracker
Where: Jesse Hall, MU campus
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2 and 7 p.m.
Cost: $17, $25, $28, and $14 for children 12 and younger
Call: 882-3781
Fan of Tchaikovsky? Love the ballet? Or just really love St. Louis? The St. Louis Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker is back (again) this year. For those few who haven’t had a chance to catch it, prepare for a feistiness in the air as mice battle toy soldiers, and then satisfy your sweet tooth as fairies leap, twirl and dance their way through a land of candies and chocolate. This ballet is a holiday classic for a reason — its childlike fantasy elements will be sure to instill the holiday spirit in you, but if you’ve seen it before, do everyone else a favor and suppress the yawns.
Rocheport Holiday Tree Lighting
Where: Rocheport Christian Church, 2nd Street
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Call: 698-2129
The town Christmas tree across from the Rocheport Christian Church is the center of attention every night from right after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve, but on this day you can soak up the spirit of the holidays with the annual lighting ceremony. The historical society Friends of Rocheport sponsors the event, which is open to the public and features the biggest tree in town. Each year it keeps growing, and more lights are added, according to Dixie Yates, co-owner of Rocheport’s Yates House Bed and Breakfast. This year, she estimates there are more than 10,000 individual lights on the tree. Yates says each year about 200 to 300 community members attend, including children who can sit with Santa Claus and collect some candy in the process. Following the countdown to the tree lighting, guests can sing Christmas carols inside the church and then enjoy pie and coffee for $2 at the nearby community hall.
Once Upon a Furry Tale
Where: Ann Gafke’s Teacher’s Pet dog school, 325 E. Dripping Springs Road
When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Call: 443-0716
What do bubble machines, black lights, dry ice and dogs have in common? They are all part of Ann Gafke’s spectacular holiday dog show program that highlights the talents of more than 50 dogs, whose owners are members of the school’s drill team. The event, cleverly titled Once Upon a Furry Tail, features a chimney sweep dance and a human agility number, all in tune to a variety of music. The dogs wear costumes and pull decorated wagons, an act that Gafke says is not a “follow the leader” performance but rather a chance to show how much each individual dog has practiced.
A Dickens Victorian Christmas
Where: Stephens College, Senior Hall Parlors
When: Dec. 6 to 8, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $14
Call: 876-7199
Mix and mingle with Mr. and Mrs. Dickens (or at least the actors who play them) at this Victorian-influenced social event that has been going on for the past 10 years. Sit and enjoy spiced wassail (cider) and figgy pudding while theater students and choir members dressed in period costumes weave through the rooms and provide musical entertainment and court dancing. Cheryl Nichols, Stephens’ music program coordinator, advises buying tickets as early as possible so that you will get the chance to experience this fun and frolicky event.
MU Concert Series: Wynonna, A Classic Christmas
Where: Jesse Hall, MU campus
When: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.
Cost: $42, $47 and $52
Call: 882-3781
WY-not attend this event? Wynonna Judd, once one half of music sensation The Judds, branched out on her own in the ’90s and assembled a loyal fan base that admires her eclectic sound. This country music superstar will get her audience into the Christmas spirit when she performs traditional songs such as “White Christmas” and “Ave Maria” from her album A Classic Christmas. Prepare for her old-fashioned, heart-warming renditions of such holiday tunes to inspire and remind you that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Little Bethlehem
Where: Fairview United Methodist Church
When: Friday, Dec. 11, 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Call: 445-5391
Tour the town of Bethlehem, and watch as the Christmas story comes to life at this annual production. For three nights, guests can see Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and other biblical characters in the living nativity held in the front yard and parking lots of the church. Guided by a shepherd, patrons eventually end up at the manger with Mary and Joseph, and they are encouraged to continue their spiritual journey. Afterward, viewers can jump back to the present by warming up inside the church with hot beverages, cookies and caroling. This is the 20th year of the event, according to Pastor Nick Campbell, and it usually draws a crowd of 600 to 1,200 per year.
Holiday Toys for Columbia’s Youth
Where: Parks and Recreation office
When: Last day to drop off gifts is Dec. 11
Cost: Depends on cost of gifts
Call: 874-7460
If you’re still stashing your 1970s Barbie collection in the back of your closet or hiding away that cardboard box filled with Hot Wheels and an Etch A Sketch (now gathering dust) you thought you could never part with, now is your chance to put them back to good use and donate them to the children of Columbia. Every year, parents sign up approximately 300 children to receive Christmas gifts, and the toy drive team does its best to find each child three presents. Last year and this year, Jimmy John’s has been a helpful participant in the project, according to coordinator Camren Cross. They keep drop-off barrels in each of the restaurants where people can donate toys for kids ages 12 and younger. This event ends Dec. 11, so make sure to do your part to ensure the holiday happiness of Columbia’s children.
Organ Music You Won’t Hear in Church
Where: Missouri United Methodist Church
When: Saturday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.
Cost: $5 in advance, $10 at the door; available online at moumc.org until Dec. 17
Call: 443-3111
Who knew organ music could be this entertaining? Spend the evening listening to Craig Datz bring the organ to life with pieces that you wouldn’t normally hear in a church service. The organ, built in 1930 and made by Aeolian Skinner, is a fabulous instrument with more than 3,000 pipes, unequaled anywhere within a 100-mile radius, says the church’s music director Alex Innecco. The repertoire for the concert will include famous holiday pop songs, carols and even some humorous sped-up Bach pieces.
Boone Hospital First Night 5k Run/Walk
When: Thursday, Dec. 31, 4 p.m.
Where: Flat Branch Park
Cost: $20 per adult and $12 per child 12 or younger if registered on or before Dec. 29; $25 per adult and $15 per child on Dec. 30 & 31.
Call: 442-2581
Whether you’re planning to drink as you count down to midnight or just spend the whole of the holiday on the couch watching holiday classics, take the afternoon to “run” into the New Year. Start 2010 off on the right foot by participating in this event coordinated by the Columbia Track Club. All registered runners get a long-sleeved T-shirt and admission to the rest of the First Night events, says coordinator Linda LaFontaine. For more information, visit columbiatrackclub.com
First Night Columbia
When: Thursday, Dec. 31, entertainment begins at 6 p.m.
Where: The District
Cost: Admission buttons are $8 for ages 8 and older and $10 at the door. Tickets are available in advance at The Arc, Gerbes and Streetside Records until Dec. 16.
Call: 874-7460, or 874-7499 if you’re interested in volunteering
Festive fireworks, amusing artwork, magical music and midnight kisses will fill the streets of Columbia during mid-Missouri’s premiere New Year’s Eve celebration that includes more than 50 events. Visit First Christian Church to watch the Children’s Ozark Folk Dance or Django’s Tiger-Swing Dance, or head to Stephens College’s Stamper Commons to see the Diva Dancers bellydance and perform using elven drums. Many more activities await you at a host of other locations including the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, Columbia Art League Gallery, Amory Sport Center’s Teen Venue and the Missouri United Methodist Church, says event co-director Tracy Lane. As the clock approaches midnight, gather up your friends and family to see the sky sparkle with color at the grand finale fireworks display, located at the Boone County Courthouse Square. For more details, go to firstnightcolumbia.org.
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